February 26-28, 2019

Tim Buscheck has worked in Chevron’s Health, Environment, and Safety Department since 1985. He leads Remediation R&D programs for Chevron Corporation and Chevron Environmental Management Company. He consults with Chevron Operating Companies on site assessment and remediation for marketing, chemical, refining and upstream facilities throughout the United States and internationally. His current university research collaborations include application of diagnostic tools and development of methods for soil and groundwater remediation. His research interests include compound specific isotope analysis, natural attenuation, ethanol fate and transport, and multi-site plume studies. His has written several protocols for Monitored Natural Attenuation of contaminants, used by Chevron, consultants, and regulators. He has conducted industry training and regulatory short courses on assessment and remediation of oxygenates and natural attenuation. He is an Associate Editor for the Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation journal. He has a M.S. in Geological Engineering from University of California, Berkeley and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lafayette College.

To optimize the performance of remediation systems, it is important to differentiate contaminant concentration reductions caused by physical mass removal from in situ destruction, and demonstrate mechanisms of biological and/or chemical transformation. The diagnostic tools used in this research include compound specific isotope analysis (carbon and hydrogen of contaminants) and sulfur-34/oxygen-18 isotopes for sulfate.

Diagnostic tools were evaluated in three controlled field experiments with different remediation technologies, conducted at the Borden aquifer. After validating the tools during these experiments, they were applied at two full-scale remediation sites. One site is conducting soil vapor extraction and sulfate land application was conducted at the second site.

Diagnostic tools can demonstrate the effectiveness of remediation strategies. The tools can also provide strong evidence to support shutting down the remediation system and transition to Monitored Natural Attenuation earlier than planned. The tools can improve remediation decision quality, design, and performance optimization, leading to lifecycle cost reductions.